Mr. Mayor Act Now

I am a 92-year old widow, and NYC homeowner whose husband was a disabled vet.

In 1965 he saw a vacant lot on the beach block of 124th Street in Rockaway, and was determined to have a strong brick house built for his large family. We moved in October, and I never had to leave it during the past 48 years….until my home was flooded during Super Storm Sandy.

The past few months have been very upsetting….emotionally, medically and financially.

Peninsula Hospital Center was closed by NYS in August, so my children decided I should live in Long Island near Winthrop, North Shore, LIJ and St. Francis hospitals.

While I vacated, my children remained in a cold home during the day and waited for LIPA, National Grid, electricians, plumbers and engineers to assess the damage, and begin repairing the home of my husband’s dreams.

While awaiting the engineer’s report, they have succeeded in having a burner, hot water heater, washer and dryer installed, and mold assessments and remediation performed.

I realize I am very lucky to have such responsible and caring children……. but we cannot do it alone…. We need your help, Mr. Mayor!

All the money I have reinvested in my lovely home will be in vain unless and until you issue an executive order to have temporary structures erected along the beach. It is my understanding that the concrete section of the boardwalk has remained intact. Therefore, I respectfully request that you assist me in preserving the investments that I have recently made as a result of the storm.

Although I would love to have a wooden boardwalk erected which is easier on my feet, legs and back, it would seem that using concrete would make much more sense at this time. This is the only material that weathered the storm. In addition, I have spoken to Senator Chuck Schumer at the Queens Civic Congress Legislative Luncheon in December, and he seems to be of the opinion that jetties and dunes properly erected by experts, helped in areas affected by Sandy. Further, it is my understanding that Hesco barriers which have proven successful in other areas requiring protection from flooding waters, and other measures proposed by engineers, would significantly prevent “new” flooding. (During the past few weeks….water and sand have already flooded our streets! Just think of the storm sewers your administration has worked to hard to clean out…what a waste of taxpayers’ money when sand continues to blow down our streets.)

Mr. Mayor….the boardwalk was my life socially….I’d use my walker and get my exercise, chat with my friends…look at the waves, see my neighbors’ children and grandchildren play in the sand. My heart and soul yearns for a summer to revisit my beloved boardwalk…..that will provide much comfort to me….and, more importantly, improve safety conditions throughout this beautiful peninsula.

Again, I urge you to act expeditiously…. Once I am convinced that the city, state and federal governments are committed to restoring the Rockaway Peninsula, I would feel comfortable investing more money which the Army Corps of Engineers would endorse as reasonable measures designed to further protect my property.

May God Bless You and help you make the right decisions for the city you love so well. I know Mayor Koch would be very proud of you!